WATERLOO — A Waterloo man surprised his mom with the car of her dreams.

The touching moment was documented in a YouTube video that has gone viral, attracting more than three million views. But this isn't Corey Wadden's first brush with internet fame.

The 25-year-old said the video was an update to his now defunct "Millionaire by 25" challenge that he set out to accomplish two and a half years ago.

Wadden wanted to retire his mother with the money he earned and was determined to do so by starting his own app and ebook businesses and doing other odd jobs. He documented the entire process online using videos and social media, garnering thousands of followers.

But he fell short by earning only $81,000 by the end of his challenge on Jan. 1, 2014.

"I felt really bad about it and it hit me really hard," Wadden said, adding that after his own living expenses and taxes he wasn't able to put away much.

His single mother, Joanie Wadden, raised him and his brother on a variety of jobs from cleaning houses to serving tables in Kitchener. He just wanted to do something nice for the woman who put her sons before her own passions.